Several areas of forensic science use the technique of gas chromatography, ranging from fire analysis to the investigation of fraudulent food and perfumes. Covering the essentials of this powerful analytical technique, Forensic Applications of Gas Chromatography explains the theory and shows applications of this knowledge to various realms of forensic science. Topics include: A brief introduction to gas chromatography and its use in forensic science Various components that make up the gas chromatographic instrumentation The theory of the separation process, along with the chemistry underpinning the process Method development, with a specific example of a separation of eight different compounds using a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector Quality assurance and method validation with information applicable to many types of analytical testing laboratories Troubleshooting in gas chromatography systems New developments in gas chromatography and advances in columns and detectors Real examples supplement the text, along with questions in each chapter. The book includes examples of applications of gas chromatography in drugs, toxicology, fire, paint, food, and fragrance. Each application is presented as an individual case study with specific focus on a particular sample preparation technique. This allows each technique to be discussed with respect to its theory, instrumentation, solvent selection, and function, as appropriate. Each case study provides readers with suitable practical information to allow them to perform experiments in their own laboratory either as part of a practical laboratory class or in a research context. The final chapter provides answers to the questions and encourages further study and discussion.

Mass Fatality and Casualty Incidents: A Field Guide presents in checklist form the recommended responses to events that result in mass fatalities, such as the Oklahoma City bombing, the crash of a jet airliner, or the attack on the World Trade Center. All cities in the United States will have to have a mass fatality disaster plan in effect by the end of 1999. Mr. Jensen is a leading authority in this area and provides training for police, fire and hospital personnel (including EMTs and social workers), local, state, federal and international emergency planners and responders. This book details actions that are part of a mass fatality incident response. Specifically, they are the actions that begin once life and property preservation ceases and continues through to the release of the deceased. Thus, primary focus is on search, recovery, medicolegal investigation, personal effects operations, family assistance operations, and media operations. Ancillary steps include logistics support, security, responder protection, attitudes and coping with mass death.

Death Investigation: Systems and Procedures is the first book dedicated to the topic of death investigation from a legal standpoint as well as the administrative and operational procedures that pertain to the medical examiner and the coroner system in the United States. Unique in its perspective, this book is the only one not concerned with instructing on investigatory conduct, autopsy procedure, pathology, or the solving of crimes. Instead, it explains the concepts and principles of death investigation established by governments, and outlines the legal and administrative steps that must be taken throughout the case. Beginning with an introduction to the basic types of death investigation, the text explains the circumstances and statutory basis for death investigation systems. The author provides specific details about the role of coroners, medical examiners, and other forensic scientists and personnel who may officially be a part of the investigation. The overall goals of the investigations are included along with case studies and examples illustrating the procedures used in each type. The author also adds a brief summary of the specific system employed by each state. A considerable portion of the book is devoted to practical considerations such as the contents of the autopsy report, the death certificate, principles and issues related to evidence and expert witnesses, as well as a description of a typical day at a medical examiner's or coroner's office. Well referenced with websites and sources of further information, Death Investigation: Systems and Procedures provides a comprehensive, concise procedural reference to students and professionals including lawyers, crime scene technicians, and anyone who works with death investigation data, or within the death investigation systems in the United States.

This third volume in the Forensic Pathology Atlases: Causes of Death Series provides an overview of the types, mechanisms, and physical findings associated with deaths involving asphyxia. Asphyxia and Drowning serves as a basic framework for an extensive pictorial representation of findings associated with these types of deaths. It helps the reader to gain a better understanding of the processes leading to asphyxiation, to recognize the associated physical findings, and better appreciate the difficulties in evaluating asphyxiation deaths.

Written by experts with a combined 50 years of experience teaching and researching in the field of domestic abuse, Intimate Partner Violence: Effective Procedure, Response, and Policy provides practical instruction for practitioners and lay people responding to domestic violence, as well as ideas for policymakers working to create solutions to the violence. Narratives by victims of intimate partner abuse provide a framework from which students and practitioners can assess address problems of domestic abuse. This book focuses on what can be practically done to address the problem of domestic violence for individual practitioners as well as policymakers, lawmakers, and criminal justice practitioners.

In a proper court setting, experts in various fields are often asked to provide testimony and evidence on numerous professional topics. To be able to effectively testify in a courtroom requires knowledge, training, experience, and expertise. The materials presented in Certified Forensic Consultant Body of Knowledge provide the necessary information to prepare and give effective testimony in a courtroom trial. This book covers all aspects of preparation and conduct during the trial process relevant to forensic expert consultants, with focused chapters that review the details of The legal system Marketing consultation services Litigation processes, themes, and strategies General legal principles Expert witness payment The discovery process The forensic expert's deposition The trial process and the forensic expert's role in it Professional practices In using this book, readers will learn about the complete court process, from the opening arguments to the establishment of proper fees, ways to correctly testify in a professional manner, the forensic expert's role in litigation, and the conclusion of the trial. The Certified Forensic Consultant Body of Knowledge provides a thorough guide to the process of giving forensic expert testimony in the courtroom.

Criminal investigators have a long list of duties. They must identify and secure a crime scene, conduct interviews of witnesses and victims, interrogate suspects, identify and properly collect evidence, and establish and maintain a chain of custody. Once an investigation is underway, the criminal investigator must demonstrate thorough knowledge of investigative techniques for misdemeanors or felonies and for violent or nonviolent crimes. The criminal investigator must also accurately and unbiasedly document each step in the investigative process as well as be proficient at testifying in a trial. The Certified Criminal Investigator Body of Knowledge prepares candidates for the Certified Criminal Investigator, CCI program, the first open source, peer-reviewed credential in the world. The program sets standards for criminal investigation in a time when certification for investigators is crucial to filling gaps in the field. This book covers all aspects of the criminal investigation process to enable candidates to meet the requirements of the program. It reviews the history and development of forensic studies, ethical behavior of the investigator, evidence collection and preservation, investigation management, and courtroom demeanor and testimony. Fulfilling a need for standardization of knowledge and competency in criminal investigation education, The Certified Criminal Investigator Body of Knowledge provides a thorough resource for the candidate preparing to become a criminal investigator. It also serves as a handy reference for the professional working through an investigation.

A postmortem X-ray of a male homicide victim reveals a bullet lodged next to his spine. That he was shot is clear. How recently? is what death investigators must determine. The answer: the absence of scar tissue surrounding the bullet proves the victim had been recently shot. And while the average person may find tattoos to be creative and aesthetic, to the trained death investigator, they can actually be the key to aiding in the eventual identification of a body. They say the dead can't speak. But in the fascinating field of forensic pathology, the deceased can tell an elaborate story, especially when death investigators know what clues to look for. The first volume in the new Forensic Pathology Atlases: Causes of Death Series, this book takes an in-depth look at the determination of the time of death, postmortem changes, and identification. In TIME OF DEATH, DECOMPOSITION AND IDENTIFICATION, you'll learn through the extensive use of photographs and discussion how estimating the time of death can rarely be accomplished with scientific accuracy. You'll learn about the numerous changes the body undergoes after death, and how positive and probable identifications are made. For death investigators, law enforcement officers, attorneys, and anyone else involved in forensic death cases, TIME OF DEATH, DECOMPOSITION AND IDENTIFICATION is a "must have" resource.

Chemicalsare a part of daily life and can be found all around us. Many common chemicals when mixed improperly whether intentionally or not can pose serious consequences to those who come in contact with them. Written by an author who is an experiencedhazmat-qualifiedfirst responder,forensicspecialist, and educator, Explosives and Chemical Weapons Identification provides the means to quickly identify the type of explosive or chemical weapon at hand upon arriving at the scene. A thorough and accessible reference, this book contains the identification capabilities for 468 different formulations for explosives and chemical weapons. It presents detailed descriptions for each of these formulations by breaking down their materials into five concise categories: common name, synonym, class, ingredients, and use. The materials are also indexed by common name, class, and ingredient. A handy reference packed with critical information and over 350 illustrations and photographs to aid in visual identification, Explosives and Chemical Weapons Identification is an essential resource that every first responder and forensic professional must have within reach every time.

Every three years, worldwide forensics experts gather at the Interpol Forensic Science Symposium to exchange ideas and discuss scientific advances in the field of forensic science and criminal justice. Drawn from contributions made at the latest gathering in Lyon, France, Interpol's Forensic Science Review is a one-source reference providing a comprehensive literature review of each of the subject areas. Divided into five sections spanning the spectrum of forensic analysis, the book begins with chemical criminalistics, starting with a chapter on the forensic examination of fibres. Next, it examines firearms and ballistics, toolmarks, footwear impressions, and other contact marks such as tire treads. A chapter on forensic geology includes related sciences such as palynology. The first section concludes with a review of articles concerning paint and glass and methods for analysis of these substances. The second section focuses on drugs and toxicology. It examines improvements in the detection and analysis of abused substances, highlighting tests that are faster, more discriminatory, more sensitive, and less costly, providing hundreds of references to various studies conducted worldwide. Shifting to an exploration of electronic evidence, the next section begins with forensic audio and visual evidence and then moves to digital evidence found on computers and telecommunication and electronic multimedia devices, an area that has exploded in technological progress since the last symposium. The fourth section of the book begins with a discussion of hazardous materials, including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear substances. It discusses new developments in environmental forensic science, with an increased emphasis on the field work necessary in investigation as well as advice on suggested equipment and online educational resources. The section concludes with a discussion o

A powerful tool in the identification of individuals, DNA typing has revolutionized criminal and paternity investigations. Widespread analysis is now conducted by public and private laboratories in the United States and abroad. Focusing on the basic techniques used in forensic DNA laboratories, Forensic Analysis of Biological Evidence: A Laboratory Guide for Serological and DNA Typing introduces readers to the science of serological analysis and DNA typing methods and provides a thorough background of the molecular techniques used to determine an individual's identity or parental lineage. Originally published as Forensic DNA Analysis: A Laboratory Manual, this revised work offers updated exercises and protocols for all kinds of DNA and serological analyses with delineated objectives, step-by-step procedures, and required laboratory supplies. Each exercise in this manual: Provides an overview of forensic DNA analysis Explains the sources or types of biological material used in a particular DNA analysis Supplies the background principles and practical methodology for specific serological analysis and DNA typing techniques Simulates human forensic testing and can also be used to simulate a wide range of applications for genetic analysis The book contains an extensive glossary to make readers familiar with terminology used in the forensic analysis of biological evidence, as well as basic terms used in molecular biology. Those who master the material in this volume will understand the methodology of the investigation in DNA typing, develop an understanding of the scientific principles involved in serology and DNA analysis, and succeed in analyzing and interpreting the data generated in each exercise with clarity and confidence.

It has been said that scammers and swindlers often display characteristics commonly attributed to good leadership. These include setting a vision, communicating it clearly, and motivating others to follow their lead. But when these skills are used by unconscionable people to satisfy greed, how can the average person recognize that foul play is afoot? Providing a unique account of frauds throughout modern history, Handbook of Frauds, Scams, and Swindles: Failures of Ethics in Leadership compiles narratives from around the world, including a number of highly-publicized cases. Leading financial and investigative experts have authored the individual chapters, yet the book maintains a reader-friendly style. The result is a text that is highly engaging and most importantly, provides regulators and investigators with an understanding of the motivations and behavior common to the individuals behind these life-damaging crimes. The book includes a wealth of stories, including famous cases such as Ponzi, ZZZZ Best, Enron, Parmalat, and Vivendi, along with lesser-known scandals involving both corporations and individuals. There is also a section on frauds perpetrated for motives other than financial rewards, including instances when the government performed experiments on humans without their knowledge or consent, as well as stories on frauds involving science and religion. A section detailing the Arthur Anderson debacle discusses the compounding of a fraud when the supposed watchdog plays a complicit role. And recognizing that not every issue is black or white, the book also explores whether a hoax perpetrated in the name of a noble cause can ever be justified. By reviewing the tactics used by swindlers and the motivations that turned good people crooked, investigators and others will come to recognize the red flags that accompany unscrupulous behavior. In doing so, they may well learn how to head off potential

Some have estimated that healthcare fraud in the United States results in losses of approximately $80 billion a year. Although there are many books available that describe how to "detect" healthcare fraud, few address what must be done after the fraud is detected. Filling this need, Charles Piper's Healthcare Fraud Investigation Guidebook details not only how to detect healthcare fraud, but also how to "investigate" and prove the wrongdoing to increase the likelihood of successful prosecution in court.The book starts by covering the history of healthcare insurance and the various types of fraud schemes. It presents Charles Piper's unique approach to investigating (The Piper Method) which allows readers to conduct as many as 10 simultaneous investigations for each case. It emphasizes the importance of simultaneously searching for waste and abuse as well as systemic weaknesses and deficiencies that caused or contributed to the problem or wrongdoing under investigation and then make recommendations for improvement. It also provides: Questions to ask whistleblowers, complainants, employers, employees, and healthcare providers who are suspects Tips on investigative case planning, goals, and strategies Sample visual aids for use when briefing others about your investigative findings Guidance on presenting information obtained from healthcare investigations and on how to testify in court Techniques for uncovering previously undetected fraud The book includes a sample case study that walks readers through a mock case from the time the case is received through the end. The case study demonstrates how to initiate, plan, and conduct a thorough and complete healthcare fraud investigation while incorporating Piper's proven methodology.Sharing insights gained through Charles Piper's decades of experience as a federal special agent and certified fraud examiner, th

In the courtroom, critical and life-changing decisions are made based on quantitative forensic science data. There is often a range in which a measured value is expected to fall and, in this, an inherent uncertainty associated with such measurement. Uncertainty in this context is not error. In fact, estimations of uncertainty can add to the utility and reliability of quantitative results, be it the length of a firearm barrel, the weight of a drug sample, or the concentration of ethanol in blood. Measurement Uncertainty in Forensic Science: A Practical Guide describes and defines the concepts related to such uncertainty in the forensic context. The book provides the necessary conceptual background and framework a baseline for developing and deploying reasonable and defensible uncertainty estimations across forensic disciplines. Information is presented conceptually, using easily understood examples, to provide a readable, handy reference for scientists in the laboratory, as well as investigators and legal professionals who require a basic understanding of the science underpinning measurement results.

The use of DNA profiling in forensic cases has been considered the most innovative technique in forensic science since fingerprinting, yet for those with limited scientific knowledge, understanding DNA enough to utilize it properly can be a daunting task. Introduction to Forensic DNA Evidence for Criminal Justice Professionals is designed for nonscientific readers who need to learn how to effectively use forensic DNA in criminal cases. Written by a forensic scientist world renowned for her expertise in clothing examination, the book provides a balanced perspective on the weight of DNA evidence. Going beyond a simple explanation of the methodology, it arms attorneys and other criminal justice professionals with knowledge of the strengths and limitations of the evidence, including the danger in relying on DNA statistical probabilities in the determination of guilt. The book covers the most common DNA methods used in criminal trials today nuclear DNA short tandem repeat (STR) techniques, mitochondrial DNA, and Y-STR profiling. It helps prosecutors know when to emphasize DNA evidence or proceed with trial in the absence of such evidence. It assists defense lawyers in knowing when to challenge DNA evidence and perhaps employ an independent expert, when to focus elsewhere, or when to secure the advantage of an early guilty plea. By imparting practical and theoretical knowledge in an accessible manner, the book demystifies the topic to help both sides of the adversarial system understand where DNA evidence fits within the context of the case.

As social networking continues to evolve and expand, the opportunities for deviant and criminal behavior have multiplied. Social Networking as a Criminal Enterprise explores how new avenues for social networking criminality have affected our criminal justice system. With insight from field experts, this book examines: The history of social networking and the process of developing an online identity Schools of criminological theory and how they relate to criminality on social networking websites Forms of criminal behavior that can be performed utilizing social networking websites Criminality via texting, identity theft, and hacking Adolescents as offenders and victims in cyberbullying and digital piracy Online sexual victimization, including child pornography and sexual solicitation of youth The book concludes by discussing law enforcement's response, including new techniques and training, type of evidence, and use of experts. It also discusses how the corrections system has been affected by these types of offenders. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter encourage critical thinking and case studies help place the material in context. Ideal for students and scholars, the book offers a comprehensive examination of how the emergence of social networking has affected criminality online, and how it has impacted the criminal justice system.

Officer-Involved Shootings and Use of Force: Practical Investigative Techniques, Second Edition continues to provide sound and sober models, protocols, and procedures to handle the highly charged fall-out from officer involved shootings. Written by cops for cops, it is designed to address the needs of the agency, the rights of the employee, and the concerns of the public, and give law enforcement the policies and tools to properly investigate and document this high profile area. Updated and expanded, the second edition welcomes contributions from Randy Dickson, one of the nation's leading experts, who presents new recommendations for post-incident support and the emotional aspect of these traumatic events, including the potential for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder suffered by the officer. Other new chapters include a study of incidents involving less lethal weapons, such as Tasers, a model policy for documenting these incidents, and the latest findings on positional asphyxia and Excited Delirium Deaths. The book also includes additional information on report writing and the proper handling of media and public information policy. The author offers expert tips on procedures including handling suspects, interviewing witnesses and employees, and investigating the scene, as well as critical points for working with assisted suicides. New, up-to-date case studies illustrate and explain the need for consistent, reliable protocols to protect the agency, the officer, and the public from unnecessary litigation, public distrust, media frenzy, and harm to either the agency's or the officer's reputation. Applicable to all levels including city, county, state, and federal law enforcement, thisSecond Editioncontains anoutstanding presentation of guidelines, authority, and assignment responsibility to establish the best organizational team structure to investigate [officer-involved] shootings, says Larry Moore, Certified Emergency Manager, Knoxville, Ten

Chromatography has many roles in forensic science, ranging from toxicology to environmental analysis. In particular, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a primary method of analysis in many types of laboratories. Maintaining a balance between practical solutions and the theoretical considerations involved in HPLC analysis, Forensic Applications of High Performance Liquid Chromatography uses real-life examples likely to be found within a forensic science laboratory to explain HPLC from a forensic perspective. Focusing chiefly on the reverse phase HPLC mode of separation, this volume examines: The history of HPLC and the theory behind the separation process The requirements for successful analysis and best practice tips The modes of separation and detection most appropriate for forensic science applications HPLC method development and evaluation The quality aspects of laboratory operation Troubleshooting HPLC systems and analyses Applications of HPLC within the field of forensic science Designed as a textbook for university students studying analytical chemistry, applied chemistry, forensic chemistry, or other courses with an element of HPLC within the course curriculum, this volume is also an invaluable guide for those in the early stages of their forensic analysis careers. An instructor's manual with lecture slides, test bank, objectives, and exercises is available with qualifying course adoption

Handbook for Death Scene Investigators provides concise information in a handy, pocket-sized (3 1/2" x 6") format - perfect for on-the-scene reference. Details about sudden natural deaths by disease and accidents are emphasized in this guidebook, complemented with practical information on: reviewing a medical chart collecting evidence obtaining a medical history interacting with other law enforcement personnel, witnesses, and relatives Anyone responsible for investigating natural deaths - from police investigators to medical examiners - can go direct to the information they need at a moment's notice with the Handbook for Death Scene Investigators Features

Guide to Forensic Pathology provides a concise overview of forensic pathology to those who wish to know the basics but lack formal forensic training. Both fascinating and practical, this book explains everything from who the experts are in death investigation and what their roles are to how effective testimonies are presented in court. The importance of forensic DNA testing is emphasized with a separate section in this timely reference guide.

This book is a concise and practical tool recommended for quick revision, rote memorization, and self-assessment of knowledge in forensic psychiatry. It is useful for forensic psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, criminologists, mental health law attorneys and general psychiatrists.

This unique work of evidence scholarship details the development of marketised forensic science provision in the UK. Exploring the impact that public policy developments have had upon the sector, it delves into the re-structuring of both the governance and delivery of expert scientific evidence. Using first-hand accounts drawn from empirical research, this study analyses the practices and perspectives of forensic experts and criminal justice personnel, with a particular focus on the influence of standardisation, expertise, and regulation on scientific method. Expanding our understanding of the ways in which forensic scientists have responded to policy-driven structural changes, the author highlights the effects of resulting adaptations. Challenging subsisting accounts of law's deference to expert knowledge, this work uncovers the normative and conceptual underpinnings of law and science, to provide an innovative account of the practice of case construction. Using comparative case-study methods, the study highlights the need for a genuine theoretical engagement between the two domains and supports this endeavour with a range of empirically informed discussions, and detailed theoretical analyses. Revisiting the landmark cases, relevant legislative provisions, and government reports, the study offers a trenchant analysis of law's mutable understandings of expertise and scientific method. Marketisation and Forensic Science Provision in England and Wales thus lays the foundations for a more rational and systematic approach to the consumption of expert evidence.

Written by the nation's foremost authority on gunshot wounds and forensic techniques as they relate to firearm injuries, this third edition of a bestseller provides critical updates to information on gunshot wounds and the weapons and ammunition used to inflict them. The book describes practical aspects of ballistics, wound ballistics, and the classification of various wounds caused by handguns, rifles, and shotguns. It also explains autopsy techniques and procedures and laboratory analyses relating to weapons and gunshot evidence. A much-needed update after nearly 20 years, the third edition of Gunshot Wounds provides the latest and most thorough information on firearms and best practices for examining firearm-related wounds.

Crime perpetrated by healthcare professionals is increasingly pervasive in today's hospitals and other healthcare settings. Patients, coworkers, and employers are vulnerable to exploitation, fraud, abuse, and even murder. Investigative journalist Kelly M. Pyrek interviews experts who provide accounts concerning the range of criminality lurking in the healthcare setting in Healthcare Crime: Investigating Abuse, Fraud, and Homicide by Caregivers. Examines the root causes and the opportunities The book begins by offering perspectives on how the stressors inherent in the healthcare profession can contribute to aberrant behavior by medical practitioners. It then examines breaches of patient privacy, which can easily occur in today's age of technology. Highlighting appalling cases of exploitation, the book also suggests guidelines to safeguard patient privacy. Identifies the victims most at risk, and those who are their greatest threats In a chapter on abuse and assault, the book cites psychological studies that explain the root causes of victimization. It highlights the patient populations most at risk: disabled, psychiatric, and elderly, and identifies the chief victimizers: physicians, psychiatrists, dentists, pediatricians, and nursing assistants and aides. The book also examines the types of financial fraud and theft that can be perpetrated against not only patients but also employers and government agencies, and provides expert insight on how to take preventative measures. Discusses notorious serial murders in the medical profession Providing accounts of well-known healthcare-related homicides and suspicious deaths, the book also presents insights from forensic and serial murder experts as to why these incidents occur, warning signs to watch out for, and how to conduct a proper investigation. The final chapter examines simple, straightforward strategies for improving the level of quality of care and safety provided by healthcare institutions. With greater accountability and oversight, patients can once again feel secure that their providers are embracing the maxim "Above all, do no harm."